Mu Jinyu listened to Yun Ge's words and nodded in realization, "Oh, so these tests are actually for selecting disciples who can perform excellently in this 'Sword Mountain Fiery Sea' and give our Heavenly Sword Faction some face?"
"Yes, you can understand it that way."
Yun Ge nodded, then shook his head and said, "But it's not exactly about giving face, since these tests will be seen by the other Three Sects. If it's about shining at the Four Sects Martial Meeting, wouldn't it be better to reserve strength and deliberately show weakness to the enemies?"
"The reason why you must give your all here is also because this entry test is considered a part of the Four Sects Martial Meeting. It's the first round of the Four Sects' competition, just without actual combat."
Speaking of this, Yun Ge looked at Mu Jinyu and reminded, "So, Junior Brother Mu, when you go in, don't think about holding back, just give it your all and let the other Three Sects see your true capabilities. With your strength, even if they become wary, what does it matter? The gap is a gap, it's not something that can be overcome just by being cautious."
"Alright, I understand." Mu Jinyu nodded after listening to Yun Ge's words.
...
While Mu Jinyu and the others were preparing to venture into the "Sword Mountain Fiery Sea".
At the Blood Sword Sect, the Sect Leader, accompanied by Elder Cheng and other high-ranking elders of the Heavenly Sword Faction, followed an elder of the Blood Sword Sect into a room resembling a meeting room.
In this room, the Sect Leader of the Blood Sword Sect and some high-ranking elders were already seated.
And the Sect Leaders of Beixue Mountain Villa and the new Four Great Sect, Liuyun Sect, were also sitting here.
When the Sect Leader of the Blood Sword Sect and the Sect Leader of Beixue Mountain Villa saw the Sect Leader of the Heavenly Sword Faction entering, they stood up and greeted with a smile, "Xie Chenkun, you really arrived late this time, we almost thought you weren't coming."
The Sect Leader of the Heavenly Sword Faction was named Xie Chenkun.
The Sect Leader of Liuyun Sect, being weaker with only the Eighth Layer of the Divine Transformation Realm, though possessing a spiritual treasure, wasn't afraid but was unfamiliar, so he awkwardly stood up, nodded slightly towards the members of the Heavenly Sword Faction, and said nothing.
Unlike the other two sects, he did not dare to jest with Xie Chenkun.
Xie Chenkun briefly explained the reason for his late arrival, exchanged a few jests with them, and then found a seat to sit down.
He then silently watched a Water Screen Mysterious Light Mirror hanging in front.
Here, it was possible to see the images of others venturing into the "Sword Mountain Fiery Sea".
If the Heavenly Sword Faction had not been delayed, they arrived late but could still see the scenes of Beixue Mountain Villa and Liuyun Sect entering the Sword Mountain Fiery Sea.
But now, they could only watch their own disciples break through.
This couldn't help making Xie Chenkun feel a bit annoyed.
At this moment, no images appeared on the Water Screen Mysterious Light Mirror, indicating that Yun Ge and the others were still preparing and had not immediately entered the trial.
Seeing this, Xie Chenkun thought, it's not good, he couldn't see the situation of others, but they surely were unaware of Mu Jinyu as his trump card. Why not take this chance to trick them thoroughly?
Then, Xie Chenkun lightly coughed, left his seat, and sat beside the Sect Leader of the Blood Sword Sect.
"Xie Chenkun, what are you doing?"
The Sect Leader of the Blood Sword Sect turned his head with a suspicious look at Xie Chenkun.
"Zhou Taiping, tell me, among the Four Sects entering the Sword Mountain Fiery Sea this time, whose performance is the best?"
The Sect Leader of the Blood Sword Sect, Zhou Taiping, heard Xie Chenkun's words and said proudly with a smile, "Do you need to ask? Of course, it's our Blood Sword Sect."
"You are well aware of my direct disciple Dao Wuming's prowess!"
"And after that, who is second?" Xie Chenkun asked.
As soon as he asked, the face of the Sect Leader of Beixue Mountain Villa turned unsightly.
Because this time, Lin Tianxue, ranking second on the Four Sects' Genius Ranking from Beixue Mountain Villa, did not have the advantage and placed second in the Sword Mountain Fiery Sea trial.
Instead, the second place was snatched away by a person named Di Shitian from Liuyun Sect.
Zhou Taiping glanced at the Sect Leader of Beixue Mountain Villa, coughed lightly, giving him face, and said, "Why do you ask so much? Do you think your Heavenly Sword Faction can take second place this time?"
"No!" Xie Chenkun shook his head decisively and said confidently, "My goal this time is first place!"
"Not only first place in the Sword Mountain Fiery Sea but also first in the Four Sects Martial Meeting rankings!"
Hearing Xie Chenkun's words, Zhou Taiping's face subtly changed, and he asked seriously, "So confident? Has Yun Ge from your Heavenly Sword Faction broken through to the Fanxu Realm?"
"No," Xie Chenkun shook his head, "My confidence is not Yun Ge, but rather..."
Speaking, Xie Chenkun coughed a few times casually before continuing, "But rather I recently accepted a new disciple. He is my trump card for winning first place!"
Thinking that Mu Jinyu wasn't present, claiming him as his disciple was not an issue.
"Oh? What's his cultivation level?" Zhou Taiping became serious upon hearing Yun Ge had not broken through to the Fanxu Realm, and asked somewhat warily upon hearing about the new disciple.
Xie Chenkun deliberately said proudly, "He just broke through to the Ninth Layer of the Divine Transformation Realm yesterday!"
"Just that?!"
Zhou Taiping looked at Xie Chenkun as if he were a fool.
Their formidable Dao Wuming isn't afraid of Yun Ge, who is nearing the Fanxu Realm threshold, how could he fear someone who just advanced to the Ninth Layer of the Divine Transformation Realm?
Or does he have some special traits?
Zhou Taiping squinted his eyes.
Naturally, Xie Chenkun understood that just mentioning Mu Jinyu's cultivation would make them suspicious, making them more alert and unwilling to bet.
Thus, he laughed proudly, "Of course, there's more. He also possesses an innate Sword Bone and recently comprehended the Intent Domain!"
Xie Chenkun was not worried about revealing this, making Zhou Taiping guard against Mu Jinyu.
Because Dao Wuming possesses the Innate Sword Bone, extremely talented in the Way of the Sword, and also comprehended the Intent Domain early, constantly suppressing Yun Ge and Lin Tianxue, ranking first on the Four Sects' Genius Ranking!
In this situation, as long as he didn't disclose that Mu Jinyu defeated Yun Ge with the Eighth Layer of the Divine Transformation Realm and helped Yun Ge comprehend the Intent Domain, Zhou Taiping would never take Mu Jinyu seriously!
"Innate Sword Bone, comprehended the Intent Domain?!"
Hearing Xie Chenkun, Zhou Taiping's face relaxed slightly, but he inwardly scoffed.
He thought, what's this? Not even fit to tie the shoes for my Dao Wuming. If Yun Ge had broken through to the Fanxu Realm, he might be somewhat wary.
But only slightly, as he wouldn't truly fear him!
Thinking this, Zhou Taiping decided to fool Xie Chenkun, who didn't understand Dao Wuming's true prowess, betting heavily against him.
So, Zhou Taiping laughed, "Since you are so confident, let's bet on it? See who gets first place? How about it?!"
"Sure, what are we betting?"
Xie Chenkun replied eagerly, surprised Zhou Taiping would initiate the bet.
"Hmm?!" Zhou Taiping pondered, then looked at Xie Chenkun's sword and said, "If you lose and fail to get first place at the Four Sects Martial Meeting, your sword will be mine?"
"Haha, bold words, agreed!"
Xie Chenkun agreed, then proposed his own condition, "Then if you lose and my Heavenly Sword Faction wins first place, I want to borrow your Blood Essence Pool for a month!"